Last Updated on October 17, 2024

By now, you’ve probably seen Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications on some of your products. But what exactly does it mean? And how does it correlate with sustainability?

Paper products are one of the most common FSC certified items. But many other items can be FSC certified, such as wooden furniture, decking, and packaging.

Several of the links in the blog post below are affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.

The FSC certification essentially means the product certified came from responsibly managed forests. This is important, considering the alarming scale of deforestation happening on our planet.

Deforestation and forest degradation is the second leading cause of carbon pollution, causing 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

A staggering 13.4 million acres of Brazil’s Amazon have burned through August 2024 alone, an area larger than Costa Rica.

And it’s not just the Amazon being affected: Forests right here in the US are feeling the effects of climate change too.

Maine’s forests are a vital part of the state’s identity and economy. But as the climate changes, and pressures on natural resources increase, how we manage these forests will become even more critical.

Climate change is already affecting Maine’s forests with shifting temperatures, changing perception patterns, new pest pressures and invasive species. Sustainable forestry practices are essential for adapting to these changes, while preserving the forest’s ecological and economic value.

That’s why it’s vital to protect forests. There are several ways we can do this, like choosing to eat less beef (cattle ranching is the number one cause of deforestation in the Amazon), recycling paper properly, supporting native tree planting efforts, and buying FSC certified materials.

Here’s everything you need to know about FSC certifications and why they matter.  

what is fsc certified? 

FSC certified stands for Forest Stewardship Council, which is one the most recognized certifications globally. The FSC certifies forests to ensure their environments are managed in a way that protects biodiversity, water resources, and the rights of indigenous people.

FSC certified forests must meet the highest environmental and social standards. But what exactly are FSC standards?

As listed on their website, FSC requires any managers of certified forests to:

• Comply with all applicable laws 

• Maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of workers 

• Uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples 

• Maintain or improve the social and economic well-being of local communities 

• Manage their products and services in a way that maintains or improves their long-term economic viability, social benefits, and environmental benefits 

• Maintain, conserve, and/or restore the ecosystem services and environmental values of managed forests; and also avoid, repair, or mitigate negative environmental impacts 

• Establish a management plan that outlines their economic, environmental, and social policies and objectives 

• Demonstrate progress toward meeting these objectives 

• Maintain or improve high conservation values; 

• Ensure that all management activities comply with FSC principles and criteria. 

Complete descriptions of these principles and the criteria that determine whether the principles are being followed can be found here.

However, it’s important to note that for FSC, it’s not just about meeting standards: It’s about doing what’s right for the forest, and the community.

what are the different fsc certificates? 

There are three different FSC certifications available: Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood. In all types of certifications, independent FSC-Accredited Certification Bodies verify that all FSC-certified forests conform to the requirements contained within the FSC forest management standard. This third-party verification is crucial to the integrity of the FSC system.

Here’s a little more about each certification.

forest management certification 

Think of this as the “good forestry practice” stamp. It means that forests are managed in a way that’s environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable.

chain of custody certification 

This one’s all about the journey. It tracks the wood from the certified forest, through every step of the supply chain, to the final product, ensuring that the product really comes from a responsibly managed forest.

controlled wood 

This is for those who want to mix certified and non-certified wood, but still want to ensure that the non-certified wood is from low-risk sources. It’s like a quality control measure to keep out the bad stuff like illegally harvested wood.

what do fsc labels mean? 

If you’re a consumer, chances are you’ve noticed a little FSC label on your products before. But there are three different kinds. Here’s what each of them mean.

FSC 100%: This means all the materials used come from responsibly managed, FSC-certified forests.  

FSC recycled: The means the product is made from 100% recycled materials, which reduces the pressure to harvest more trees and conserves precious forest resources. 

FSC mixed: This means the product is made from a mix of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC-controlled wood. While controlled wood doesn’t come from FSC-certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources. 

What are fsc requirements? 

There are varying requirements to earn FSC certification, depending on which kind of certification you’re aiming for. Here’s a snapshot of what each certification requires.

Forest Management Certification: Forest operations must adhere to ten principles that cover a broad range of issues, including maintaining high conservation values, community relations, workers’ rights, and monitoring environmental and social impacts. 

Chain of Custody Certification: This certification tracks the wood from the certified forest through every step of the supply chain to the final product. It ensures that the product really comes from a responsibly managed forest. 

Controlled Wood: This certification ensures that non-certified wood comes from low-risk sources and is free from illegal harvesting, genetically modified organisms, and violation of traditional and human rights. 

Each certification type has its own set of detailed standards and criteria that must be met, and certification is conducted by independent, third-party certifying bodies.

what products are fsc certified? 

Thankfully, there are several products that have the FSC certification.

Some types of products that can be FSC certified include:

• Paper products, packaging, tissue, and coffee cups 

• Tyres 

• Sports equipment like skis and wetsuits 

• Clothing and shoes 

• Furniture and home décor 

• Books and art supplies 

• Timber 

Here is a full list of FSC certified products from companies small and large in all kinds of categories, such as fashion, furniture, beauty, and stationary.

gzw approved fsc certified products

There are thousands of FSC certified products to choose from, but here are a few from my favorite brands. These brands go above and beyond being just FSC certified, but also utilize sustainable materials, mindful packaging, and give back.

I’ve made sure to highlight which products in their supply chain are FSC certified, or if just their packaging is. I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information. 

1. allbirds 

• Tree material used in shoes + apparel is FSC certified 
• Rerun collection offers slightly imperfect and gently used products   
• Offer premium replacement insoles + replacement lace kits  
• B Corp certified  
• Recycled, natural, and renewable materials  
• Carbon neutral footwear 

2. ecoblvd  

• FSC certified packaging 
• 100% Compostable phone cases   
• 6FT Drop Protection  
• Plastic-Free & FSC Certified Packaging  
• Roundabout Recycling Program: Send back old cases/chargers for a discount 
• 1% for the Planet Member 

3. o my bag  

• FSC-certified recycled cardboard + paper packaging 
• Bags made from leather, apple leather, + recycled cotton 
• Second chances collection allows you to shop pre-loved + imperfect bags at a discount  
• Kenzie bag’s leather is hand-woven in Kolkata 

4. caraway 

• FSC certified birch wood cutting board 
• 4-piece board set (small, medium, large)  
• Storage organizer included  
• Mineral oil + wax finish 
• Sustainable packaging 

5. bambu 

• FSC certified bamboo cutting board 
• Medium + large size options  
• Constructed using a water-based, food-grade adhesive imported from Europe that contains no formaldehyde  
• Hand finished with food-safe wood oil  
• USDA Certified Biobased  
• No lacquer coating  
• B corporation 

6. brentwood home 

• FSC Certified GOLS organic latex 
• Sustainable mattresses + yoga mats 
• 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and wool from New Zealand 
• 25 year warranty on mattresses 
• Responsibly made in Los Angeles 
• Greenguard Gold certified 
• Gives back to social and environmental initiatives 

7. pukka herbs  

• Tea boxes are made from FSC certified card, printed using vegetable-based inks 
• Organic herbal teas and supplements  
• 100% compostable teabags with organic cotton string  
• Supports regenerative organic agriculture  
• 1% For The Planet  
• Fair for Life certified 

8. avocado mattress  

• FSC certified Dunlop latex in their latex mattresses 
• 100% GOTS organic certified cotton and wool 
• 100% natural latex 
• Handmade in California 
• Vegan options 
• Carbon negative 
• Upcycles material byproducts 
• 25 year warranty 
• 1% for the Planet 

So, what are your thoughts on FSC certifications? Which FSC certified brands are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! 

The post FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable? appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

FSC Certifications: What Are They + Are They Sustainable?